Certificate Opportunities
Certificate programs are excellent ways to offer learners with an opportunity to gain specialized education and training without the significant time and financial commitment involved in pursuing a degree program. Certificate students who later apply and are admitted to a UC Davis graduate program may be eligible to apply some of the coursework completed as part of an approved UC Davis certificate towards a graduate degree program (see policy), providing a potential pathway for students to get a jump start on graduate study.
In some cases, certificates may also be a revenue generating opportunity for the academic units offering the certificate. Understanding the different certificate options will help faculty interested in developing a certificate determine which option best suits the educational and financial goals of the target audience, as well as the program/unit offering the certificate.
Step 1. Understand the certificate landscape at UC Davis
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What is a graduate certificate?
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Graduate certificates are structured sequences of courses and requirements which focus on a specialty or area of expertise not offered by a regular degree program. There are two forms of graduate certificates at UC Davis: the UC Graduate Academic Certificate (GAC) and a Graduate Academic Unit Certificate (GAUC) offered by a school/college at UC Davis. Each certificate format has different admissions criteria and requirements for completion, as well as a different pathway for proposal and development. See Comparison section below for a breakdown of differences between a GAC and GAUC.
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What is a professional certificate?
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Professional certificate programs offer learners an opportunity to gain specialized education and training without the significant time and financial commitment associated with a degree program. A UC Extension-type Certificate Program is a series a credit bearing-courses (X400 series) providing in-depth study in an applied area of professional practice. Certificates provide a minimum of 12 units (120 hours) academic credit with a maximum of 12 units eligible for degree-articulation through the credit transfer process. Credit transfer is subject to the approval of the department according to the normal processes it uses for transfer credit evaluation. Certificates may be a revenue-generating opportunity for academic units. certificate programs offer learners an opportunity to gain specialized education and training without the significant time and financial commitment associated with a degree program.
- What are the differences between these certificate options?
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Graduate Academic Certificate (GAC)
Graduate Academic Unit Certificate (GAUC)
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Certificate
Who can be admitted to this certificate?
Open to the public. Applicants must apply through Graduate Studies and meet graduate admissions criteria.
Currently enrolled UC Davis graduate students.
Open to the public. Applicants must apply through CPE; flexible admissions policy (e.g., does not have to be post-bacc.; can have min. admissions standards).
Who is the target audience for this certificate?
Individuals seeking post-baccalaureate training or education without the research and in-depth curriculum required for a graduate degree.
UC Davis graduate students who wish to complement their graduate education with an additional area of specialization.
Profesionals seeking to stay current in their field or add a new area of specialization. May serve as a pre-graduate pipeline.
How many units are required? How long does it take to complete?
Students must complete one year (three academic quarters) of full-time resident study for a total of 36 units.
Minimum of 12 quarter units.
Minimum of 12 quarter units. No requirements for duration of study or residency.
What is the official record of certificate completion?
Certificate with UC seal, signed by the UC President. Transcript notation.
UC Davis Certificate with signature of the dean of the school/college offering the certificate. Transcript notation.
CPE-issued Certificate. CPE transcript notation.
Can the courses be counted towards a graduate degree program?
Yes. Maximum of 12 graduate level units. Subject to evaluation and approval by the graduate program Faculty Advisor.
Yes. Courses completed for the certificate may be used to satisfy graduate program degree requirements.
Yes. Maximum of 12 graduate level units via credit transfer process. Subject to evaluation and approval by the graduate program Faculty Advisor.
Who needs to approve the proposed certificate?
Graduate Studies, Graduate Council, UC Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs (CCGA)
Graduate Studies and Graduate Council
Governed by Public Service. Course approval required Dean signatures (from CPE and from school or college supporting the certificate.
Can the program be revenue-generating? Yes No Yes
